CNN TV SCHEDULE ANCHORS & REPORTERS CONTACT US HLN

March 30, 2010

Ricky Martin says he's 'a fortunate homosexual man'

Posted: 08:55 AM ET

Pop singer Ricky Martin declared publicly this week what he avoided discussing for years: He is gay.

"I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man," Martin wrote on his official Web site. "I am very blessed to be who I am."

A decade ago, when ABC's Barbara Walters pressed Martin to address rumors about his sexuality, he declined to confirm or deny them. "I just don't feel like it," Martin said.

Now, Martin wrote, "these years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn't even know existed."

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican native started off with the Latin boy band Menudo before launching his solo career in 1991.

His song "Livin' La Vida Loca" rose to the top of the music charts in 1999 and propelled Martin to stardom.

Martin said he decided years ago to not share "my entire truth" with the world because people he loved warned him that "everything you've built will collapse."

"Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage," he wrote. "Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions."

The decision to come out was initiated a few months ago, when he began writing his memoirs, he said. "I got very close to my truth," he wrote.

(read more)

Filed under: Hollywood


Share this on:
Lisa S   March 30th, 2010 8:59 am ET

What difference does this really make? Im waiting for new material from this guy. He is such an entertaining artist.


rosegarden   March 30th, 2010 9:46 am ET

It takes tremendous courage for celebrities to come out from closet, good for you Ricky, finally the burden on your shoulders for the past can release now.

It's the shame our society still cannot accept homosexual.


carie   March 30th, 2010 10:20 am ET

Kudos to Ricky for finally being who he is!! It will be wonderful when sexuality is a moot point and people can just be who they are born to be!!
'Livin' LaVida Loca'!!!!


Idzan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   March 30th, 2010 10:23 am ET

Cest la vie Rocky
Vivir la buena Vida.
This will not diminish you as a great entertainer.


Expat American   March 30th, 2010 10:25 am ET

So what and why does that matter?

He's a hugely talented singer, entertainer, and artist. Besides, it was pretty clear at the outset that he was too attractive to be with a woman… 🙂

I loved his song at the 1998 World Cup in France!


I'm right   March 30th, 2010 10:30 am ET

SO WHAT. DO YOU WAN A CONDOM OR ROLL-AIDS.


I'm right   March 30th, 2010 10:34 am ET

WHO CARES WHAT HE IS. WE ARE ALL SOMETHING. SO BIG DEAL. SOME ARE SINNERS AND THE BELIEVERS ARE SINNERS SAVED BY GRACE.


Anonymous in Arizona   March 30th, 2010 1:22 pm ET

Good for him. It must be hell living in secret and fearing people will know.


Hugh in California   March 30th, 2010 1:32 pm ET

@I'm right,
Your inappropriate comment is so wrong!


Connie   March 30th, 2010 3:54 pm ET

Bless Ricky for sharing with the world. We all love you!


Deb n Texas   March 30th, 2010 4:34 pm ET

You know what? That is HIS BUSINESS.


I'm right   March 30th, 2010 8:17 pm ET

Deb n Texas you are so right. Who gives a flip. That's nothing to have here.


Robert   May 12th, 2010 5:18 am ET

"It's the shame our society still cannot accept homosexual."

That's the defeatest attitude that needs to be conquered. The ability not to be able to change, when change means just that.


gde jesus   November 9th, 2010 9:50 pm ET

I am very proud of Ricky Martin. He is an educator in all levels and he teach how to be a great human being as a father. a man and a person. I have respect for him for all the projects he been doing. Congratulation ! and continue doing your passion.


shawty   November 10th, 2010 4:06 am ET

Be happy life is too short..Enjoy your two beautiful gifts, your twins are so gorgeous and bless to have you as their father. Congratulation!! You are still the same Ricky Martin to me and I am very proud of you,regardless. Thank you for all that you have done for Thailand during their time of needs and all the projects you are doing. Please continue being Ricky Martin and continue touching peoples heart with your stories and have the courage to be RICKY MARTIN!!! Your Voice is a gift to those that need guidances right now. All my best..........always


Luis B. Rosario   November 10th, 2010 9:25 pm ET

Ricky Martin says that he is fortunate enough to be a homosexual.
It is like saying I'm fortunate to have been born poor and enjoy
the fruits of my poverty. Noboby, I mean nobody should be able
to be fortunate enough to have to go through the trauma of trying
to redifine and rediscover our through gender. I don't think that
event is cause d'celebre(reason to celebrate). It maybe possible
to celebrate for Ricky now because he is rich now but he was
with Menudo and some members of the band as young as
11 were sexually abused by their manager. I don't think that
tragedy was cause to celebrate or to feel fortunate. There are
still a lot of lhomosexuals and transgenders trying to cope with
own predicament, even after the harassment stop. Even after
their were accepted by family and friends. The struggle continues
day and night until someday either you die, or nobody hears from
anymore. " It is not easy when you are green," said the Muppets.


Comments have been closed for this article

Keep up to date with Larry

Follow him on Twitter

Become a fan on Facebook

Contact us
Go Behind The Scenes

Producer

LARRY KING LIVE'S Emmy-winning Senior Executive Producer Wendy Walker knows what it takes to make a great story.

With anecdotes, provocative emails, scandals, show transcripts and insights into Walker's long working relationship with Larry King, her new book PRODUCER issues readers an invitation to listen in on the most intriguing conversations on the planet.

Order from:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Borders


King of Hearts

Larry King's King of Hearts

Saving a heart a day is the goal! Learn more about the Foundation and it's efforts to help the uninsured

Visit the Larry King Cardiac Foundation.


subscribe RSS Icon
twitter
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP